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Press Release: The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) bestowed hall of fame honors and awards for excellence in 10 categories at the association's 2014 Awards for Excellence gala, held on Monday, July 28, 2014, at Pier 60 on the Chelsea Piers in New York City. The annual event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the association's scholarship and grant programs. Guests were given the chance to bid on a spectacular array of donated gifts such as Broadway shows, restaurant meals, hotel accommodations, museum tickets, beauty salons and spas. There were also cigar and golf packages upon which to bid, as well as jewelry, watch, gift and clothing prizes from well-known brands.  Among the headlined honorees: Ruth Batson, the executive director and CEO of the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories, received the Lifetime Achievement Award; David J. Bonaparte, the president and CEO of Jewelers of America, received the Ben Kaiser Lifetime Achievement Award and the Richline Group was given the Corporate Award. The association also named Awards for Excellence winners for 2014 in 10 categories. For the first time, the nominees for these awards didn't know if they'd won until the gala event, adding excitement to the evening. Winners included: Design: Heather B. Moore of Heather Moore Jewelry
Manufacturer/Dealer/Supplier: Chana Regev of Carelle
Retail 15+ Doors: Kim Adams of Reeds
Retail <15 Doors: Cathy Calhoun of Calhoun Jewelers
Retail Non-Traditional: Jennifer (Peck) Arthur of Amazon
Sales: Amy Jackson of Fragments
Marketing & Communications: Fran Pennella of Benali Consulting
Editorial Media: Michelle Graff of National Jeweler
Special Services: Desiree Hanson of JCK
Watches: Rosanna Sarcona-Doherty of Cartier "WJA congratulates our distinguished 2014 honorees, and celebrates the winners of our Awards for Excellence," said Andrea Hansen, the president of WJA. "We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the attendees and sponsors who supported our signature event by their attendance and donations to the gala, silent auction, and raffle. Because of you, many more women will receive WJA grants and scholarships to enter or further their careers in the jewelry industry." The WJA's awards for excellence transformation sponsor was Sterling Jewelers and the Richline Group was the event's premier sponsor. Rio Tinto served as the evening's "paparazzi" sponsor, hosting a photo booth where attendees could pose for photos with friends and colleagues. The World Gold Council's Love Gold initiative sponsored the gala's after party, with music and dancing. Sponsors of distinction included JA New York Show, Couture, Jewelers of America and Forevermark. Sponsors of honor included Hearts On Fire, Eurostar Diamond Traders and Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company. The WJA Awards for Excellence gala has been a part of the industry's social calendar since 1984. In 2014, WJA once again awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships and grants to deserving recipients.
About the Women's Jewelry Association
WJA's mission is to help women in the jewelry and watch industries advance and develop professionally through networking, education, leadership development, and the provision of member services. For more information, visit www.womensjewelryassociation.com
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